KATHMANDU, July 27: In an unbelievable incident that has both shocked and amazed locals, a two-year-old boy in Bihar, India, fatally bit a venomous cobra that had slithered into his home’s courtyard.
The unusual episode unfolded on Friday afternoon in Betiyq village, when little Govind Kumar, son of Sunil Sah, was playing outside their house. His mother was nearby, chopping firewood. Suddenly, a cobra—locally known as a gehunuan—emerged from the woodpile and moved toward the child.
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According to witnesses, the nearly two-foot-long snake coiled around the toddler’s hand while he was still playing, unaware of the danger. Mistaking the snake for a toy, the curious boy tried hitting it with a brick fragment. In response, the cobra coiled tightly around his tender arm and appeared to attack.
What happened next left everyone stunned: either out of fear or instinct, the toddler bit the snake—hard. The cobra died on the spot, succumbing to deep injuries near its head and mouth. Minutes later, young Govind fell unconscious.
Panicked family members rushed him to the nearest health post and later to the government hospital in Betiya. Fortunately, doctors declared his condition stable and said he was out of danger.
According to Dr. Diwakant Mishra, who treated the boy, there were no signs of venom in his system. “Govind was lucky—the venom effect was minimal and didn’t spread through his body. He is safe now,” he confirmed.
The medical team concluded that the cobra likely died from severe trauma inflicted by the child’s bite rather than venom-related complications.
The boy’s grandmother, Mateshwari Devi, recounted the terrifying moment. “His mother was just nearby, gathering firewood. Suddenly, we saw a snake coiled around his hand. Before we could reach him, he had already bitten it to death.”
The toddler remains under medical observation and is expected to make a full recovery—leaving behind a rare tale of survival that locals say they will never forget.